Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 658,835. vPatented out. 2, |900.

F. M. DRAPER.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

, (.Applicgtion led Sept. 23, 1899.)

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Patentad 0st. 2, |900.

F M DBAPER AGETYLENE EAS GENERATOR (Application led Sept. 23, 18993 5 sheets-sheet 2.

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/gtmmpn No. 658,835. Patented Oct. 2, |900.

F. M. DRAPER.

ACETYL'ENE GAS GENERATOR. (Application med sept. 2s, xss.)

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101658,835. Patented oct. 2, |900.-

F. M. DRAPER. ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application med sept. 2a, 1899.;

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

FRANCIS M. FRA-PER, OF DANA, INDIANA.

AGETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

sPEcI'EIcA'rIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,835, dated october 2, 1900. Application iile. September 23, 1899. Serial No. 731,465. (No modelo .To LZ2 whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. DRAPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dana,

in the county of Vermilion and VState of In-l diana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Acetylene- Gas Machines, of which the following is a specification'.

My invention relates to acetylene-'gas Amachines in which there are two generators employed which are connected with a common gasometer and which are adapted to operate lalternately-'that is to say, when one generator is exhausted. the other is thrown into operation, so that the first generator can be recharged-thereby continuously supplying the gasometer with gas.

The object of the invention is to provide improved means for automatically throwing one generator into operation when the other is exhausted and also to provide an improved construction of the machine which shall poslsess superior advantages generally with respect to efficiency in use.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an acetylene-gas machine constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the gasometer. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the gasometer, the movable section being removed. Fig. 4' is a longitudinal section of the gasometer on the line a; or, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the generators, the cover being removed. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line yy, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective View of one of the valves and the means for opening and closing the same and also showing the means for throwing it into operative position when the carbid of the other generator is exhausted. Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of the generator covers or tops.

In the said drawings the reference-nu meral 1 designates'th'e stationarysection of the gasometer, comprising the casing 2, which is preferably cylindrical in form. At the upper end said stationary section is provided with a circular water-chamber comprising the bottom 4, secured to the casing a short distance below the top, and a circular rim 5, which extends upwardly and is flush with the upper ends of the said casings. Near the lo werend said section is provided with a ring or partition 6, forming'a water-chamber '7.

The numeral 8 designates the movable section of the gasometer, cylindrical in form and closed at the upper end by a cover 9. This movable section tits or telescopes loosely within the outer casing of the stationary section, which latteris to be filled with water, as usual. The numeral 10 designates a spider at the lower end of said movable section. Located centrally in said inner casing is a vertical tube 12. This tube is stationary, and fitting over the sameis a tube 13 of somewhat larger diameter, the upper end of which is secured to the cover of the movable section and communicates with the atmosphere. This tube 13 is provided at the upper and. lower ends with interior collars 14, which are turned true, so as to snugly t the tube 12, but so as to make a tight joint, yet allow the tube 13 to work freely thereon.

The object of the tube 12 is to form a guide for the movable section of the gasometer. This tube passes through the water-receptacle at the bottom of the gasometer', but does not communicate therewith, but with the space outside of the gasometer at the bottom thereof, thereby allowing air to circulate underneath the gasometer and preventing rusting of the same.

The numeral 15 designates t-he supply-pipe from the gasometer to the burners and is located in the inner casing and extends up above the water-level therein. This pipe extends down into the water receptacle or chamber 7 and is connected with a horizontal pipe therein, which extends out through the side of the gasometer and is provided with a vertical pipe 16. This pipe 16 is provided with a drip-pipe 18, which extends to near the bottom of the said chamber. The numeral 19 designates a vertical blow-off pipevlocated in said section and extending up above the water-level therein. The lower end of this pipe is connected by a T-coupling with a horizontal pipe 20, leading to the atmosphere. The end of this coupling is open and communicates with the air-space in the water-receptacle and. serves to allow any gas which may accumulate therein to escape. It also serves as a drip for pipe 19. Fitting over said blow-off ICO pipe is a downwardly-extending tube 24, the lower end of which is formed with an opening or hole 25. -This tube is movable with the movable section of the gasometer, and when the said pressure in said section is such as to raise the same above a predetermined height the said hole or opening will come up to within about two inches of the water-level. The lightness ot' the seal will be such that it will allow the surplus gas to discharge into the blowott pipe and pipe connected therewith. The numeral 26 designates a vertical pipe located in said inner casing and also extends into the water-chamber 7 and is connected with two lateral or horizontal pipes 27 and 28, leading to the generators. These pipes are the pipes which convey the gas from the generators to the gasometer, and connected there with is a drip-pipe 29.

The numerals 30 and 3l designate the generators at opposite sides ofthe gasometer, and as both are identical in construction adescription of one will suffice for both. These generators consist of an outer casing 32, preferably rectangular inform, and an inner section 34, with a water space therebetween. Pivoted to the top or cover 34a of the generator on a pivot 34b is a disk 35, formed with a segmental slot 36, in which works a pin 37, secured to said top, and said disk is provided with a handle 38. Pivoted at 38 to said disk are four laterally-extending rods 39, the outer ends of which are adapted to engage with holes in lugs 40 at the corners of the casing 32 for holding the cover or top 34 in place. By turning the handle said rods are simultaneously withdrawn or disengaged from the lu gs, so as to allow the cover to be lifted out. Located in said generator are a number of superimposed carbid-receptacles 41, each consisting of a rectangular box divided by a number of partitions 42 at right angles to each other into a number ot' compartments 43 for containing the carbid. Each of these receptacles is provided with a vertical overflowpipe open at the top and bottom and the upper ends of the same terminating just below the upper edge of the boxes. At one end the casing 34 at the upper end is provided with an offset 45, through which passes a short pipe 46, to which is swiveled a pipe 47, which can be turned upward into a vertical position, so as to be out of the way when the carbid-receptacles are to be removed for recharging, but which when the generator is in operation occupy a horizontal position, so that water therefrom can be supplied to the ca'rbid-receptacles. Connected with said pipe 46 is a vertical pipe 48, which extends down about midway the height of the generator and is connected with a lateral pipe 49, extending through the generator, and in turn is connected with a coupling 50 at the lowerend of a pipe 51, extending up into the water-receptacle at the upper end of the gasometer. As before stated, there are two generators employed. Consequently the parts just described will be duplicated. Each of the pipes 51 is provided with a valve operated by the movement of the movable section of the gasometer for admitting and shutting oi water to and from the gasometer to the generators.

Secured to the gasometer-tank are two vertical recta-ngular guides extending from top to bottom thereof and each provided at the outer side with a vertical slot- 53. Vorking in said guides are two rectangular bars 54 and 56, the bar 54 being provided with pins 57 and 58, while bar 56 is provided with pins 59 and 60, similar thereto, but at different heights. These pins project through said slots and operate the valves which supply the generators with water. The upper ends of these bars pass through brackets 6l, secured to the movable section of the gasometer. Pivoted to said brackets are elbow-levers 62, provided with studs 63, which engage with holes in the said bars, so that the bars will move with the bracket-s. By disengaging these studs from the holes the said bars can be raised by hand and are provided with rings 64 for such purpose. In one of the pipes 51 is a valve 65, the stem of which is provided with an elbow-lever 67, having two arms 68 and 69, with a slot 70 between them, the arm 68 being longer than the arm 6'.' in order that it may occupy the path of the pins 57 and 58. This valve is operated by the pins 57 and 5S of the bar 54, the construction being such that as the movable section ot' the gasometer descends the lower pin will engage with one of said arms and open the valve to admit more water to the generator, and when it asscends the other pin will engage the other arm and shut olif the supply of water. Connected with the other pipe 5l is a valve 71, the other valve being provided with two slotted arms 72 and 73, with Which the pins 5f) and 60 are adapted to engage. This valve is provided with an arm 74, adapted to be engaged by a rod 75, which passes up through the water-chamber of the water-receptacle at the upper end of the gasometer. This rod passes also through a housing 76, in which is located a coiled spring 78, the tendency of which is to press the rod upwardly. This rod is for the purpose of operating the valve 7l when the gasometer descends by a bracket 77 on the movable section ot the gasometer coming in contact therewith. Said valve 71 is provided in the inner side with a pin 79, which is adapted to be struck by a pivotcd pawl 80, so as to throw the valve into operative condition, as hereinafter described.

Located in the generator is a pipe 82, Ithe upper end of which terminates near the npper end of the same and the lower end ol' which is connected with the lateral orborizontal pipe 83, which extends through the generator and is connected with a vertical pipe 84. This pipe 84 is connected with a valve-casing 85, in which is located a valve 86, the stem of which is provided with alever 87, to which is pivoted an upwardly-extend- IOO ing arm S9, the upper end of which is bent inwardly and extends over and rests upon the cover ot' the generator, so that said cover cannot be removed until said arm is raised and thrown out of the way,- which will close the valve 86 and shut off communication with the gasometer, and thus prevent accidents. This pipe 84 is also connected with a pipe 90, provided with a valve 91, the stem of which is secured to a lever 92, which in turn is pivoted to the arm 89, so that as the valve S6 is closed the valve 91 will be opened.

The numeral 93 designates a funnel connected with a pipe 94 for supplying water to the lower part or chamber of the gasometer, and 95 a similar funnel for supplying water to the generator for making the Water seal.

For convenience I'have lettered the two generators A and B, respectively, and the operation is as follows, both generators being supposed to be supplied with carbid and the parts in the position shown in Fig. l: In starting the machine the rectangular elbowlever 62 of bar 54 being disengaged from the latter said bar will be raised by hand until the pins 57 and 58 are above the waterwayvalve of generator A. Said baris then lowered until said valve has been brought into position to admit of ['low of Water to the carbidchamber of said generator. When sufficient gas has been generated to cause the movable section of the gasometer to ascend,the elbowlever 62 will automatically engage with the hole in the top of the said bar, and the machine Will then operate automatically, the water being admitted to the generator as the said section descends and out off as it ascends. While this operation is taking place the pins 59 and 60 of bar 56 of generator B are above the waterway-valve of said generator and do not come in contact therewith; but when all the carbid in generator A has been exhausted the movable section of the gasometer will descend a slight distance below the lowest point it previously descended to, when the upper pin of bar 54 will come in contact with the elbow-lever of the waterway-valve and turn the same,so as to be out of the way of the pins, so that as generator B is working said pins will not contact with the said valve. Just as the water has been thus shut off the movable section of the gasometer will have descended to such a point that the lower pin of bar 56 will engage with the elbow-lever of waterway-valve of generator B and admit water thereto. Water will now be admitted at suitable intervals to generator B by the downward movement of the movable section of the gasometer and shut off by the upward movement. YWhile this is going on generator A is recharged, and when all the carbid in generator B has been eX- hausted the movable section of the gasometer will have descended to a point Where the bracket secured thereto will strike the upper end of rod 75, depressing the same and operating arm 74 of the operating device of the valve of generator A, opening'said valve, and admitting water to said generator. As the movable section of the generator now ascends the pins in the bar 54: will operate said valve, turning it past its proper position, when said pins will come in contact with the pivoted pawl 80, which in turn will strike pin 79 and restore the elbow-lever of the valve to proper working position.

While I have shown and described the'machine as being used in connection with two generators, but one may be employed, if desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is-A 1. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination with the gasometer comprising the stationary and movable sections, the generators, and the water-receptacle at the upper end of said gasometer of the pipe connected with said water-receptacle and generators, the valve connected with one of said pipes, the slotted lever connected therewith, the valve connected with the other pipeprovided with a slotted elbow-lever and with a pin and arm, the bars connected with the movable section of the gasometer, the pivoted pawl and the spring-operated rod, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination with the gasometer comprising the stationary and movable sections, the brackets secured to said movable section, the levers pivoted thereto formed with projections, the bars provided with holes with which said projections engage, the pins secured to said bars and the valves, pipes and generators connected with said gasometer and the slotted elbow-levers with which said pins are adapted to engage, substantially as described.

3. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination with the gasometer comprising the stationary and movable sections, provided with water-receptacles at the top and bottom, the brackets secured to the movable section,

the bars connected therewith provided with pins at dilerent heights and the generators, of the pipes connecting the water-chamber at the upper end of the gasometer with the generators, the valve in one of said pipes provided with a slotted elbow-lever, the valve in the other pipe, provided with a slotted lever, a pin and an arm, the pivoted pawl, and the spring-actuated rod andV the arm secured to the movable section of the generator for operating said rod, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS M. DRAPER. Witnesses:

O. L. MASON, F. E. MOFALL.

IOO 

